Stringed instrument enhanced with sympathetic strings

Abstract

A stringed instrument with sympathetic strings is provided that includes (in addition to the primary elements corresponding to standard instrument elements) sympathetic strings, one or more supplementary bridges, a supplementary string termination assembly, and a set of supplementary tuners. The sympathetic strings are stretched diagonally across the soundboard of the instrument, with one end of each string attached at a supplementary tuner and the other end attached at a supplementary string termination assembly. The sympathetic strings are spaced by the supplementary bridge(s) a sufficient distance from the soundboard to prevent interaction with it during vibration of the string during playing. The sympathetic strings are activated by sound vibrations created by the bowed primary strings, may additionally be activated by plucking or strumming, and may be manually muted.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A stringed instrument, comprising:
 a body comprising a back, rib, and a soundboard that together define a resonant cavity; said body comprising an upper bout, a lower bout, and a waist disposed between said upper bout and said lower bout; said upper bout comprising a left upper bout and a right upper bout; said lower bout comprising a left lower bout and a right lower bout; 
 a neck fixedly connected to said body; 
 primary tuners mounted on said neck; 
 a primary tailpiece secured to said lower bout; 
 primary strings tunably attached to said primary tuners and attached to said primary tailpiece; 
 a bridge disposed between said primary strings and said soundboard; 
 wherein said primary strings extend over said bridge; 
 a set of supplementary tuners mounted on said body; 
 a supplementary string termination assembly mounted on said body; 
 a set of sympathetic strings elevated above said soundboard and running diagonally across said soundboard between said supplementary string termination assembly and said set of supplementary tuners. 
 
     
     
       2. The stringed instrument as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said bridge comprises a central portion and one or more extending portions; and 
 at least a portion of said supplementary strings are supported by said one or more extending portions. 
 
     
     
       3. The stringed instrument as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising one or more supplemental bridges; wherein at least a portion of said supplementary strings are supported by said one or more supplemental bridges. 
     
     
       4. The stringed instrument as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said set of sympathetic strings run diagonally between said left upper bout and said right lower bout. 
     
     
       5. The stringed instrument as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said supplementary string termination assembly is disposed on said upper left bout; and 
 said set of supplementary tuners is disposed on said lower right bout. 
 
     
     
       6. The stringed instrument as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said supplementary string termination assembly is disposed on said lower right bout; and 
 said set of supplementary tuners is disposed on said upper left bout. 
 
     
     
       7. The stringed instrument as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said left upper bout comprises a channel that follows the contour of said left upper bout outer edge; and 
 each of said set of supplementary tuners is mounted at least partially within said channel. 
 
     
     
       8. The stringed instrument as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said left upper bout comprises an extension base fixedly attached to, and following the contour of, said left upper bout outer edge; 
 said extension base extends upwardly above said left upper bout outer edge; and 
 each of said set of supplementary tuners is mounted to said extension base. 
 
     
     
       9. The stringed instrument as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said right lower bout comprises a channel that follows the contour of said right lower bout outer edge; and 
 each of said set of supplementary tuners is mounted partially within said channel. 
 
     
     
       10. The stringed instrument as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said right lower bout comprises an extension base fixedly attached to, and following the contour of, said right lower bout outer edge; 
 said extension base extends above the surface of said soundboard; and 
 each of said set of supplementary tuners is mounted to said extension base. 
 
     
     
       11. The stringed instrument as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a lighting element. 
     
     
       12. The stringed instrument as recited in  claim 1  further comprising an access door providing access into said resonant cavity. 
     
     
       13. A stringed instrument, comprising:
 a body comprising a back, rib, and a soundboard that together define a resonant cavity; said body comprising an upper bout, a lower bout, and a C-bout disposed between said upper bout and said lower bout; said upper bout comprising a left and a right upper bout; said lower bout comprising a left and a right lower bout; 
 a neck fixedly connected to said body and comprising primary tuners; 
 a primary tailpiece secured to said lower bout; 
 primary strings tunably attached to said primary tuners and attached to said primary tailpiece; 
 a bridge disposed between said primary strings and said soundboard; 
 wherein primary strings are elevated by said bridge; 
 a set of supplementary tuners mounted to said right lower bout; 
 a supplementary string termination assembly secured to said left upper bout; and 
 a set of sympathetic strings, with each of said set of supplementary strings elevated above said soundboard, tunably attached to one of said set of supplementary tuners, and attached to said supplementary string termination assembly. 
 
     
     
       14. The stringed instrument as recited in  claim 13 , wherein:
 said bridge comprises a central portion and one or more extending portions; and 
 at least a portion of said supplementary strings are supported by said one or more extending portions. 
 
     
     
       15. The stringed instrument as recited in  claim 13 , further comprising one or more supplemental bridges; wherein at least a portion of said supplementary strings are supported by said one or more supplemental bridges. 
     
     
       16. The stringed instrument as recited in  claim 13  further comprising at least one of a lighting element, a mirrored soundboard, a display-screen soundboard, and a connection for a fog machine. 
     
     
       17. A stringed instrument, comprising:
 a body comprising a back, rib, and a soundboard that together define a resonant cavity; said body comprising an upper bout, a lower bout, and a C-bout disposed between said upper bout and said lower bout; said upper bout comprising a left and a right upper bout; said lower bout comprising a left and a right lower bout; 
 a neck fixedly connected to said body and comprising primary tuners; 
 a primary tailpiece secured to said lower bout; 
 primary strings tunably attached to said primary tuners and attached to said primary tailpiece; 
 a bridge disposed between said primary strings and said soundboard; 
 wherein primary strings are elevated by said bridge; 
 a set of supplementary tuners mounted to said left upper bout; 
 a supplementary string termination assembly secured to said right lower bout; and 
 a set of sympathetic strings, with each of said set of supplementary strings elevated above said soundboard, tunably attached to one of said set of supplementary tuners, and attached to said supplementary string termination assembly. 
 
     
     
       18. The stringed instrument as recited in  claim 17 , wherein:
 said bridge comprises a central portion and one or more extending portions; and 
 at least a portion of said supplementary strings are supported by said one or more extending portions. 
 
     
     
       19. The stringed instrument as recited in  claim 17 , further comprising one or more supplemental bridges; wherein at least a portion of said supplementary strings are supported by said one or more supplemental bridges. 
     
     
       20. The stringed instrument as recited in  claim 17  further comprising at least one of a lighting element, a mirrored soundboard, a display-screen soundboard, and a connection for a fog machine.